An Overview of Existing Initiatives & Policies:
United Nations Frameworks and Resolutions
Charter of the United Nations (1945): The UN Charter enshrines the principle of self-determination in Article 1, encouraging respect for the equal rights and self-determination of peoples.
Source: https://www.un.org/en/about-us/un-charter/full-textUN General Assembly Resolution 1514 (1960): The Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples emphasises the importance of self-determination and the end of colonialism.
It declares the following:The act of subjecting peoples to foreign subjugation, control, and exploitation violates fundamental human rights, goes against the United Nations Charter, and hinders the advancement of global peace and cooperation.
Every group of people has the right to self-determination, allowing them to freely decide their political status and pursue their economic, social, and cultural development.
Lack of political, economic, social, or educational readiness should never be used as an excuse to delay independence.
All use of force or oppressive measures against dependent peoples must stop to allow them to peacefully and freely exercise their right to full independence, and the sanctity of their national borders must be upheld.
Immediate action should be taken in Trust and Non-Self-Governing Territories, as well as in all other territories that have not yet achieved independence, to transfer all authority to the inhabitants of those territories, without any conditions or limitations, based on their freely expressed will and desire, without any discrimination based on race, religion, or color, in order to allow them to enjoy complete independence and liberty.
Any effort to disrupt a country's national unity and territorial integrity, whether partial or total, is inconsistent with the principles and objectives of the United Nations Charter.
All countries must faithfully and strictly adhere to the provisions of the United Nations Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the current Declaration, ensuring equality, non-interference in the internal affairs of all countries, and respect for the sovereign rights and territorial integrity of all peoples.
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966): Article 1 states that all peoples have the right to self-determination, allowing them to freely determine their political status and pursue their economic, social, and cultural development.
Source: https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/international-covenant-civil-and-political-rights
Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (Council of Europe)
Europe’s most extensive treaty safeguards the rights of individuals who are part of national minorities. The first legally binding multilateral agreement focused on safeguarding national minorities globally, and its execution is overseen by the sole international committee exclusively dedicated to minority rights: the Advisory Committee. Adopted on 10 November 1994 by the Committee of Ministers, it became effective on 1 February 1998. It is currently in effect in 39 countries.
The Framework Convention sets out rights enjoyed by individuals belonging to national minorities and complementary obligations to be respected by the States:
Rights enjoyed by individuals belonging to national minorities include:
Freely expressing ethnic, cultural, linguistic and religious identities
Not being discriminated against
Enjoying freedom of assembly, association, expression, thought, conscience and religion
Using minority languages in contact with the authorities in areas inhabited traditionally or in substantial numbers by national minorities
Being able to influence public decision making for issues affecting persons belonging to national minorities
Participating in cultural, social and economic life
Autonomy Agreements and Regional Devolution
Devolution is the decentralisation of power and accountability to be closer to citizens. The end result should be that local factors are better represented in decision making.
Scotland (United Kingdom): In September of 1997, a referendum took place in Scotland during which the public voted in favor of devolution. Subsequently, the UK Parliament approved the Scotland Act of 1998, which led to the establishment of the Scottish Parliament. This parliament was then inaugurated in 1999.
Devolution has been a continually evolving process since 1999, marked by several modifications and expansions to the powers of the Scottish Parliament. Notably, the Scotland Act of 2016 and the Scotland Act of 2012 both delegated significant additional powers with consensus across different political parties.Source: https://www.deliveringforscotland.gov.uk/scotland-in-the-uk/devolution/
Good Friday Agreement (1998) - Peace Agreement
The Good Friday Agreement, also known as the Belfast Agreement, was a political deal designed to bring an end to 30 years of violent conflict in Northern Ireland, known as the Troubles. It was signed on 10 April 1998 and approved by public votes in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
The concept behind the Good Friday Agreement is centred on fostering collaboration between different communities. It established a fresh governing body for Northern Ireland, representing both nationalists and unionists. The Northern Ireland Assembly, a new legislative body, was created and is located in Stormont, Belfast. Other aspects of the agreement focus on upholding the rights of individuals, regardless of their community affiliation.Source: https://www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/role-policies/northern-ireland/about-the-good-friday-agreement